Strategies to tackle GMAT Reading comprehension title questions are similar to handling GMAT Main idea questions. But they are not entirely the same. The best strategies to follow are:
1) Don't get lost in details
Skim through the details but pay special attention to the point that the author is trying to make. For science passages, understanding context would be more useful than noting down terminologies.
2) Summarize each paragraph
Summarize the central idea of each paragraph
3) Find the central theme
Find the central theme from the summaries of each paragraph
4) Eliminate and select
It is very difficult to paraphrase the title of the passage. Don't waste time doing it. Go straight into the answer choices and analyze the title that suits the central idea of the passage. Eliminate the answer choice immediately (Use POE technique) if it is not in alignment with the central theme.
<Start of Passage>
According to the Indian tiger census of 2011, the population of tiger is at 1411. The population is not comparable to the previous census as the new findings are based on statistical methods while the earlier were formulated on pugmark counts. Since most Tigers traversed the same route, pugmark counts were not accurate. Statistical methods by definition make the count range bound, with the lower limit of the tiger population at 1165 and upper limit at 1657.
The major cause of tiger deaths is poaching. The amendment of the Wild Life (Protection) Act (1972) has enabled the setting up a National Tiger Conservation Authority, and the Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau. The Act bans any weapon, equipment, devices or vehicle that directly or indirectly endangers the Tiger. Although the legal steps are in the right direction, delay in declaring verdicts for poaching cases has encouraged poachers to repeat the offense.
The decline in forest area outside of tiger reserves due to urbanization, livestock need and excessive land resource utilization has made it unsustainable to maintain the quality and breadth of the forest. With urbanization and declining forest area, Tigers trespass villages and towns nearby for preys. This has led to man-tiger conflicts resulting in law and order problems. Politicians are wary of taking any strict action against illegal settlers, as most of them are registered voters.
Legal and administrative steps are not enough to increase the tiger population. Educating villagers about the relation between Tiger population and ecological balance should be the first step. Cases against illegal settlers would take years to reach any verdict. Government should instead provide alternate shelters far away from tiger population. Over the past five years, government has equipped the Anti-Poaching team with weapons and communication devices. This is clearly not enough. Poachers have developed comprehensive monsoon strategy that allows them to increase poaching from May to July. A counter-poaching strategy for monsoon season is required. The anti-poaching team lacks the training that is essential to handle an everchanging poacher strategy. In addition to protective measures, an environment to increase reproduction has to be created. Highways should be sanctioned only after evaluating the ecological nature of the land. Reintroducing male and female tigers in various reserves, balancing land resource utilization with forestation, and monitoring each tiger are some of the steps that Governments should take.
<End of Passage>
Let us follow the advice and summarize each paragraph
P1: Tiger Population Census Methods
P2: Major Cause for the decline in Tiger Population
P3: Other causes for the decline in Tiger Population
P4: Recommendations to improve tiger population
Central theme: Tiger Population Decline in India
What should be the title of the passage?
A) Tiger Population Census Methods
B) Legal and Administrative Steps for Tiger Conservation
C) Tiger Population Decline in India
D) Poaching – A Major Cause for Tiger Deaths
E)Tiger Population Decline – Reasons and Recommendations
Let us look at each answer choices:
A) Tiger Population Census Methods
Only Paragraph 1 mentions about Census Methods
B) Legal and Administrative Steps for Tiger Conservation
The author clearly is not satisfied with Legal and Administrative Steps (Paragraph 4). Therefore, the title does not cover the central theme of the passage
C) Tiger Population Decline in India
Close to the central theme – Shortlist this option
D) Poaching – A Major Cause for Tiger Deaths
Although poaching is the major cause for Tiger deaths, it is not the central theme
E) Tiger Population Decline – Reasons and Recommendations
Close to the central theme – Shortlist this option
After we have shortlisted Options - 3 and 5, look for Title that covers all the paragraph summaries (P1, P2, P3 and P4). Option E is the appropriate title.
Recommended GMAT Prep Course: Save $185 on Veritas Prep with F1GMAT's Discount Code
- 2235 reads
